"Wir brauchen einen Kulturwandel bei der Anrechnung von Fähigkeiten"

Within the next few years, the European (EQF) and National Qualifications Frameworks (Nationaler Qualifikationsrahmen in German - NQR) will set up a classification scheme for qualifications. From the native language learned at home and the self-study of gardening to the degree obtained from a university, knowledge, skills, and competences which are useful for the labour market will be classified. People can allow their qualification to be classified into one of the eight levels of the qualifications framework. This gives them proof of their abilities even if they have not finished any formal education. In the qualifications framework not only the formal sector of schools and universities provides qualifications but also the non-formal sector of adult education and the informal sector. Central to the qualifications framework are learning outcomes - things that people can do - instead of learning contents, e.g. the topic of the course attended. Adult education institutions can participate in the qualifications framework on a voluntary basis. Institutions that would like to do so have to have their certificates based on the learning outcomes for their courses. Martin Netzer, assistant head of the department in the Ministry of Education, explains in an interview the advantages of choosing this option, the obstacles to be overcome and the general potential of the qualifications framework.